Just when Samantha Johnson started to get back into a rhythm as a member of the Highland of Palmdale girls’ soccer team, the sophomore standout learned Wednesday she will miss the Bulldogs’ next three games.

But unlike the first time she was away from the team, when she missed the first 11 games of the seasonbecause of an avulsion fracture in her pelvis, this brief hiatus was good news for Johnson.

After competing with the U.S. Under-15 girls’ national team last year, Johnson will participate in her first training camp as a member of the Under-16 national team, beginning Sunday at Home Depot Center in Carson.

“I feel pretty good,” Johnson said. “I think I showed well at all the camps (last year) and played consistent throughout and I’m very happy to have this opportunity.”

Johnson’s commitment to the week-long camp will force her to miss games Tuesday at Knight of Palmdale, Wednesday at Quartz Hill and Friday against visiting Lancaster.

Johnson will be put through a series of training sessions of friendly games that she estimates will amount to five hours of soccer per day.

“It’s something that I’ve gotten used to last year with (Mexican Under-20 national teamer Janet Mendez) and will continue to deal with when it comes to Sammy,” Highland coach Juan Paolo said. “As coaches, you want to see your players succeed. Fortunately, she’s only gone for a week.”

“It’s hard sometimes, but you have to show that you can handle being there,” Johnson said. “I realize I’m very fortunate.”

Johnson’s appearance could be the first step in a long process that could land her a spot on the Under-17 national team that will compete in Sept. 2008 in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand.

“Right now, I really don’t focus on that,” Johnson said. “I just take it camp by camp and I hope to show well.”

Record pursuit: Hart of Newhall’s Sarina Coutin could become the program’s all-time leading scorer today when the Indians play at 5 p.m. at Valencia.

Coutin scored her 16th goal of the season and 74th of her career in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over Saugus, moving her into a tie with Erin Misaki (1995-99) for the program record.

“I just take it as it comes and I try not to think about it,” Coutin said. “My teammates are the ones set me up. They deserve way more credit than they get.”

Zeroing in: The Sylmar girls’ soccer team extended its area-leading winning streak to 15 in a row Thursday with a 2-0 victory over Kennedy of Granada Hills. Senior goalkeeper Nicole Gonzalez recorded her area-leading 14th shutout for the Spartans.